Is HACK a Buy? What to Consider in 2026
Last updated July 2026
Short answer
The case for HACK is simple: low-cost, diversified exposure to Prime Cyber Defense Index at a 0.60% expense ratio, anchored by names like AVGO, CSCO, NET. If that is the exposure you want and you do not already own most of it through another fund, HACK is a strong core holding. The catch is concentration in its top names and overlap with broad-market funds you may already hold. Whether it is a buy comes down to whether you want Prime Cyber Defense Index and at what cost. Not a recommendation; Walnut is not an investment adviser.
What are you buying with HACK?
HACK is the Amplify Cybersecurity ETF, tracking the Prime Cyber Defense Index of companies that provide cyber-security hardware, software, and services. The expense ratio is 0.60%. As the first cybersecurity ETF, it holds a relatively concentrated roster of pure-play security names, distinguishing it from broader tech or software funds that only touch the theme.
Largest holdings (approximate as of mid-2026; verify on Amplify ETFs's fund page):
| Rank | Ticker | Company | % of HACK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | ~8.5% | |
| 2 | CSCO | Cisco Systems Inc | ~6.3% | |
| 3 | NET | Cloudflare Inc | ~6.2% | |
| 4 | PANW | Palo Alto Networks Inc | ~6.0% | |
| 5 | CRWD | CrowdStrike Holdings Inc | ~6.0% | |
| 6 | ZS | Zscaler Inc | ~4.5% | |
| 7 | CHKP | Check Point Software Technologies Ltd | ~4.5% | |
| 8 | FTNT | Fortinet Inc | ~4.3% | |
| 9 | AKAM | Akamai Technologies Inc | ~4.2% | |
| 10 | GEN | Gen Digital Inc | ~3.8% |
What's the case for HACK?
HACK is the Amplify Cybersecurity ETF, the first cybersecurity ETF ever launched. It holds a focused basket of companies that build and sell cyber-defense technology, from firewall and endpoint vendors to cloud-security and threat-intelligence firms. It tracks the Prime Cyber Defense Index. The expense ratio is 0.60%. It suits investors who want targeted exposure to the security software and hardware theme. The obvious peers are CIBR and BUG, two rival cybersecurity ETFs; HACK is the original and holds a relatively concentrated roster of pure-play names.
In its favour: it gives you Prime Cyber Defense Index exposure in one ticker at a 0.60% expense ratio, which is simple to hold and cheap to own.
What should you weigh before buying HACK?
- Cost vs alternatives: 0.60% is the fee; compare it to funds tracking a similar index.
- Concentration: check how much of HACK sits in its largest holdings (AVGO, CSCO, NET).
- Overlap: if you already own a broad-market fund, you may already hold much of this.
- Tracking scope: HACK only gives you Prime Cyber Defense Index; it will not capture what sits outside that index.
How do you decide if HACK is a buy?
The useful question is rarely “will HACK go up?” It is “does this exposure fit my plan, at a cost I am happy with, without doubling up on what I already own?” Walnut connects your real brokerage so you can see exactly how HACK would overlap with your current holdings, analyze it by chatting through Claude or ChatGPT, and place any trade yourself. You stay in control.
The bottom line on HACK
The bottom line: HACK is a low-cost core building block for Prime Cyber Defense Index exposure, not a tactical bet on a single name. If you want Prime Cyber Defense Index exposure and the 0.60% fee is competitive for you, it does its job well. If you already own that exposure through another fund, adding it mostly doubles a fee without adding diversification. Decide from your goal and your existing holdings, not from where the market sat last week. Walnut is not an investment adviser.
Build a portfolio around HACK with Walnut
Use HACK as your core holding, then let Walnut's AI propose thematic satellites: AI infrastructure, dividend growth, clean energy, whatever you believe in. Connect your broker, build the basket in conversation, track it as one unit.
FAQ
Is HACK a good ETF to buy?
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Walnut is informational, not investment advice. Whether HACK fits depends on your goals, time horizon, and what you already hold. It tracks Prime Cyber Defense Index at a 0.60% expense ratio, so the questions that matter are whether you want that exposure, whether you already own it through another fund, and whether the cost is competitive for what it does.
What does HACK actually hold?
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HACK tracks Prime Cyber Defense Index. Its largest positions include AVGO, CSCO, NET, PANW, CRWD and others (approximate, verify on Amplify ETFs's fund page). The holdings are what you are really buying, not the ticker.
What is HACK's expense ratio?
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0.60% as of mid-2026. Over decades, the expense ratio is one of the few things you can control, so it is worth comparing against close alternatives that track a similar index.
Does HACK pay a dividend?
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HACK distributes a dividend with an approximate yield of ~0.1% (mid-2026). See the HACK dividend page for how distributions work. Verify the current figure with Amplify ETFs.
What are the risks of buying HACK?
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Like any index ETF, weigh concentration (how much sits in the top holdings), overlap with funds you already own, and whether Prime Cyber Defense Index matches the exposure you actually want. HACK only gives you Prime Cyber Defense Index, not what sits outside it.
How do I decide if HACK is right for me?
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Start from your goal, then check four things: what HACK holds, its cost versus alternatives, how much it overlaps with what you already own, and whether the exposure fits your time horizon and risk tolerance. Walnut can analyze the overlap against your real holdings; you keep your broker and approve any trade.
Walnut is informational, not investment advice. Figures are approximations stamped to mid-2026; verify current data with Amplify ETFs or your broker. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.